87R2889 MWC-F
 
  By: González of El Paso H.B. No. 244
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the establishment of a grant program for promoting
  computer science certification and professional development in
  coding, technology applications, and computer science for public
  school teachers.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter J, Chapter 21, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 21.466 to read as follows:
         Sec. 21.466.  COMPUTER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS
  PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT GRANT PROGRAM. (a) In this section,
  "institution of higher education" has the meaning assigned by
  Section 61.003.
         (b)  The commissioner shall establish a competitive
  professional development grant program to encourage teachers to:
               (1)  obtain computer science certification; and
               (2)  continue professional development in coding,
  computational thinking, and computer science education.
         (c)  From money appropriated for the purpose, the
  commissioner shall make grants to eligible providers that offer:
               (1)  professional development for elementary school
  and middle and junior high school teachers to ensure teachers
  maintain a working knowledge of current computer industry standard
  tools and resources; and
               (2)  training for computer science certification for
  teachers in accordance with certification requirements adopted by
  the State Board for Educator Certification.
         (d)  To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a
  provider must:
               (1)  be an institution of higher education, regional
  education service center, or school district or partnership of
  multiple school districts or a nonprofit entity approved by the
  commissioner that has demonstrated experience in providing
  professional development through a statewide network; and
               (2)  meet eligibility standards established by
  commissioner rule.
         (e)  An eligible provider receiving a grant under this
  section must:
               (1)  provide the training or professional development
  described by Subsection (c) and establish professional development
  hubs in each education service center region;
               (2)  serve high-need campuses;
               (3)  have established partnerships with institution of
  higher education faculty with expertise in computing and computer
  science education; and
               (4)  develop partnerships with computer industry
  professionals.
         (f)  The total amount of grants awarded under this section
  for a state fiscal biennium may not exceed $4 million.
         (g)  The commissioner may adopt rules as necessary to
  implement this section.
         SECTION 2.  Not later than December 31, 2021, the
  commissioner of education shall establish the grant program
  required under Section 21.466, Education Code, as added by this
  Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2021.